On Down East health

I write in response to the editorial, “Washington County Health,” (BDN, Oct. 6) and in keeping with Mental Illness Awareness Week.

My career in community mental health spans two decades and five Maine counties. Washington County lags behind in delivery of mental health care for residents with a higher burden of disease including depression, substance abuse and suicide. Access to care is extremely limited and the county lacks programs and services for specialized mental health treatment.

Basic mental health care is often shifted to other delivery systems and to natural supports often ill-equipped to meet the need. Primary care providers, the county jail and churches do much with little and collaborate with limited mental health resources admirably.

As a resident of Washington County I am heartened by increasing public awareness of our dismal health conditions and I am particularly concerned about mental health treatment. Please support the CDC and state legislators in improving mental health treatment for Washington County residents.

Ann O’Brien

Cutler